Head puts merit on all round life education

Published:15:17Monday 01 August 2016

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The headteacher of an ‘outstanding’ Harrogate prep school said a good education is far more than a set of exams.

Mrs Jane Merriman, headteacher at independent co-educational Belmont Grosvenor School told an audience at the annual Speech Day and Prize Giving Ceremony that as well as achieving in exams, she wanted all her pupils to succeed in life.

“Here at Belmont Grosvenor, it’s an organic education. As a society we have sold ourselves into a fast food model of education, and it’s impoverishing our spirit and energies as much as fast food is depleting our physical bodies,” Mrs Merriman told pupils, staff, parents and friends at Speech Day.

“We at Belmont Grosvenor School are in the business of education for the long run; we want to see our children succeed at their exams – but not only their

exams – we want to see them succeed well beyond that. We want to see them succeed in life.

“People have very different aptitudes and here at Belmont Grosvenor, we embrace this,” said Mrs Merriman.

Mayor of Harrogate, Coun Nick Brown, was guest of honour at the annual event, held in a marquee in the grounds of the ‘outstanding’ school, based at Swarcliffe Hall, Birstwith, Harrogate, while Guest speaker Dennis Richards, OBE, former Headteacher of St Aidan’s Church of England School, agreed with Mrs Merriman as he praised Belmont Grosvenor School for the all-round education pupils’ received.

“Life is so much more than just a set of exams,” he said.

Mrs Merriman said the school’s academic successes ‘continue to impress’, while sporting and performing arts achievements throughout the year were also excellent.

Pupils from Reception to Year 6 were handed out awards for academic, sporting, music and drama successes – as well as prizes for ‘Consideration to Others’ and ‘Recognition for Endeavour’.

Belmont Grosvenor School and its Magic Tree Nursery cater for children from three months to 11 years.

The school is holding an Open Day on Friday September 30. For more information visit the website at www.belmontgrosvenor.co.uk or call 01423 771029 to book a tour.